L&D rotation as a guy

Tweety, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2007

My experience was very good. My instructors were cool to pick out great patients for me. We only got to spend two days with deliverying moms and my first patient never delivered. My 2nd patient delivered and it was awesome. It was her 5th child and she didn't mind having a male. Post partum was boring. The nursery was fun, but the babies were so little in my fat hands.

BrianRN-PsychSup · Aug 29, 2007

I had an excellent OB instructor. Consequently, I had a very educational experience. Although there were a few instances of duality amongst the staff RN's. I enjoyed working with new moms and the babies. I had the best time in the nursery. Gave some first baths and the like. Rocked quite a few to sleep and participated in newborn assessments. My children are all older teenagers now and that was a real treat.

The duality smacked me in the face the one time that we had a floppy newborn brought running down the hall with new peds resident and RN in escort. This was a non special care nursery.

Well, everyone tried to get this kid going. They were setting up to place an umbilical line and the new resident was fumbling with the kit. Two nurses had no luck inserting peripheral IV's. Well, I asked if I could try as I had been a paramedic for 22 years and thought I could try. My instructor just gave me the go ahead nod. I was able to place two ante-cubital IV's first shot each and was able to suction out the mucous plug as well. The O2 sats rose right up to 99% and the kid pinked up beautifully.

The nurse manager of the unit was in attendance and asked me to apply for an open slot there. The other nurses gave me the verbal pats on the back, etc. it was kind of cool. Then, as the shift progressed I was able to take care of the first bath and assist with initial assessment and vaccinations and the like. Then, just after I returned from the mothers room where i brought this now stable baby to feed, I related to the nurse manager who was almost throwing a job at me, how I gave some initial instruction on breastfeeding and assisted in placing the infant for her first feeding. The mother asked me to help her with this and the grandmother and child's father were in the room as well. All listening intently. They thanked me profusely as well. The nurse manager looks at me and says, you should not be doing that. A female nurse should have done that sort of teaching.

:trout:

You could have knocked me over with a feather.

Well, I came in the next week and there was a lovely card for me and ( I understand) a note to the nurse manager extolling my

competence and how they appreciated my teaching them and the assistance I gave their baby. I learned that another nurse told them of how I had assisted with the resuscitation. :lol2:

You will see some very cool things. I performed assessments and only was questioned once if I was going to leave the room by a father. To which I said no, I am here to care for your wife and child. Nothing else was said.

My instructor was very cool though. When she asked a mom if she minded a student working with her, she never once asked if the mom would mind a male nursing student. Just a nursing student.

I have experienced the other as well. So this was refreshing to say the least.

Just relax. Be very understanding that this is a "womans" experience and don't be insulted if someone does not wish to have you care for them. You don't know the patients history related to abuse, etc. There are too many patients to get hung up on just one or two.

Sorry this was so long. I hope it helps.

Brian

corbinRN · Aug 30, 2007

Hi! Great story! I am new in nursing school and I haven't started clinicals yet, but I was just wondering: do any of you guys have problems with clients not wanting you to give them baths, foleys, etc.

I'm just wondering for women clients and men clients.

Thanks!

Daniel

nycguy · Aug 30, 2007

My experience in L&D was rough at first but it became increasingly better over time. In my case, I think what made things so hard for me was that L&D and post partum were actually my first clinicals in nursing school. I think these two areas are a tough place to start, however, if you have previous clinical experience in Med Surg, I think L&D will be much easier. Honestly, I'm glad it's over though and now I'm getting ready to begin Med Surg I. Good luck though. I'm sure you'll do great.

BrianRN-PsychSup · Aug 30, 2007

Hi guys,

I can only relate my experiences here. Hope it helps.

Only two real glaring instances stand out of gender bias during my school career. One was described above.

The second one was during my second clinical rotation. It was Med/Surg. I was assigned to a 34 year old female who was 1st day post op following a urethral sling procedure to address incontinence R/T her two live lady partsl births. I had performed all of the usual a.m. care and even assisted her with cleaning up the dried on blood on her thighs left over from the procedure. She was due to be D/C that afternoon. SHe was due to have lady partsl packing removed and I asked her if she felt comfortable with my observing. She said "of course, you are a wonderful nurse". Well I went out to the RN who was to do this procedure and informed her that I would like to observe and she immediately said "you have to ask the pt for her permission" I informed her that I had and of the positive response. I then went to update my instructor. Who had no problem at that point.

Well then the staff RN comes to me and says "She doesn't wish to have you there for this procedure, sorry". I think that it was the RN who was uncomfortable. But don't say anything.

After the Pt. is safely D/C home the room mate says to me, you know when the nurse came in here and asked her "you really don't want a MAN to see this, do you?. She then said the pt. said "I guess not".

I approached my nursing instructor with this. She asked the staff RN about it. She then returned to me and supported the staff RN stating that she didn't think that the pt. REALLY understood what you would be seeing. I said well, I have already seen "IT". I helped her to wash up. What a B***h. She just said that I needed to be less sensitive.

I did my clinical paper for that rotation and peer presentation on "Gender Bias in Nursing". It was 48 pages and included research from 11 sources. And the instructor had to read and write a comment on each section. (hehehe)

I sure learned from her that day.

You will be asked and expected to perform intimate procedures on pt's of either gender. I always approached each situation with the pt's comfort and safety as my top priority. I always approach the procedure matter of fact-ly. I just say something along the lines of " I need to ________, oK? Then just go about my business, confidently, assured and only exposing what needs to be at the time for as short a length of time as is required for the procedure. If doing something very intimate now and the pt expresses discomfort, I ask a female colleague to trade off with me for whatever it is. I do her some favor or just throw it into the "bank" There will always be something on a male that my female counterparts do not wish to deal with. However this is a very rare occasion indeed. Usually a cath on an under 40 -something.

Or some such thing. I am really usually too busy to take such things personally.

I guess what I mean to say here is, you will be faced with the gender thing more often than you wish. If you approach the pt. as a genderless, non-sexualized person thing. (If you know what I mean) You should be fine. Just be professional and appropriate in your approach. Your biggest issues will be raised by your peers. Just remember that men were nurses long before women. If you keep it in perspective you should be fine.

Oh and DOCUMENT EVERYTHING as soon as you can. Do not wait for a "free minute later" that will never come along.

Good luck in your nursing career.

Brian RN

corbinRN · Aug 30, 2007

Thanks Brian for the stories. They really helped me understand what it might be like during my clinical rotations. You know, I think it is sad that men get so much grief over this. I'm sure that a women in engineering doesn't get hardly the grief we men in nursing get.

When you are doing certain "intimate" procedures on women, do you first ask them if they're uncomfortable with the situation, or do you start doing it and if you sense that they are uncomfortable, then ask them? Also, do men ever have issues with men nurses, or are they usually cool with it.

Thanks!

BrianRN-PsychSup · Aug 30, 2007

Glad I can offer some benefit of my experience.

Before I even begin anything that might make the pt. uncomfortable, I have had time working with them doing other things. (if time permits). In emergent situations, all bets are off. But most of the time you can develop a sense for how the pt. is receiving your care. I usually start with any pt. procedure with a "this is what I need to do now and this is why" kind of thing. Then, as I said, continue competently and professionally. I have only had two pt. prefer a female nurse and they were both male. Why should I even bother spending the energy to care about that. There are way too many pt.s to care for.

If there is a female pt. and she is particularly young or a rape case or some such thing, then I will endeavor to have a female nurse attend to the issue at hand.

However, I have said it before. My license say "Registered Nurse" not "Male Nurse". I try to be sensitive at all times. But being a male, I tend to be more factually based and less into the abstract stuff. This can bite you though and I tread very carefully at times.

Use your brain and don't allow yourself to do anything as a student or nurse that even hints of inappropriate. Or makes you think, Hmmm, how would this sound on the witness stand in front of a jury of women from the community.

I have brought competent CNA's in the room with me to assist as a witness. Competent being the operative word. You may need to find them in three years.

I realize that this is not fair. RN's who happen to be female don't have to do this. ( they should) but society has accepted them in this role.

I always ask an RN who even begins to question the propriety of a male RN doing something, if this was reversed, would there be the same question?

Now I have also run into the reverse. Men who do not wish to have female RNs caring for them . R/T intimacy issues or whatever. You should see their faces when this happens. :lol2:

I have also witnessed one pt. refuse to have a "fatty" care for him. He said, "how can she tell me how to be healthy". Sigh....

Pt's come in all varieties. You will see so much that will make you shake your head. Just hold in the laughter until appropriately out of hearing range.

But when all is said and done. Nursing is a great profession.

And one other thing. Male pt's with male RN's have been know to toughen up a bit. Under report pain. under report or minimize symptoms. Always ensure the male that you may be caring for that it is important for them to be honest with you about whatever they are experiencing. And ALWAYS believe pt's reports of pain. And in Pedi, ALWAYS pay attention to the parents comments and concerns. Even if the kid looks "fine to you"They know the kid, not you.

Brian RN

pharho · Aug 30, 2007

wow, lots of great info! thank you.. I really liked the opening about staying that this is what I need to do and why! Thanks a lot. This is my second year, so I had a rotation in family practice, but did very basic care, such as hygine and bed making.. It was good experience to get use to being around patients and the hospital.. I'm going into L&D next semester.. This semester will be the psyc ward, Really looking forward to that! Should be great

Thanks

Terry.

bakpakr · Aug 30, 2007

Thank you Brian. That was some great info. I have yet to start NS but plan on becoming an RN. I will keep everything you said in mind as I go forth on my journey to becoming an RN. Again Thank You for your posts.

treysdaddy08 · Sep 1, 2007

This was a lot of great info Brian. Thanks for your posts and please, keep them coming!!!

Reno1978, BSN, RN · Sep 2, 2007

It was neither great nor bad. L&D was okay - I watched a few lady partsl births and assisted with admissions and assessments ante partum. It wasn't a unit I was particularly interested in, and it's not one that I'd want to work in now. I'm not a baby type of person whatsoever...so sorry if I sound rather sour.

Post-partum was so boring. The unit I worked in was a mother/baby unit and most of the time the mothers were breastfeeding and bonding with their babies, had tons of visitors, and were oogling over their babies..which they should be doing. The only thing I ever really got to do on post-partum was taking VS and medicating for pain. I've never been so bored in nursing school.

Newborn nursery - land of Hep B vaccinations. Babies have strong legs, you have to hold them firmly. That's what I learned there. Oh, and that we're fortunate that our heads don't stay in those funky shapes! Oh, then there's the joy on Earth which is counting a neonates HR and respirations...enjoy.

I had no issues with mothers refusing my care. It was a mediocre experience for me. Many of my female classmates were all into this stuff and my heart just wasn't into it. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, though. Prior to this all, I was freaking out about the whole idea.